Folding roof truss

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this invention is to provide a pre engineered sub-assembled metal folding roof truss in kit form, shipped in a card-board type box. The invention permits light weight roof trusses of various lengths and pitches (eg. 24′× 3/12 pitch) to be shipped to a job site in a standard pick up truck with minimum assembly of pre-assembled parts fasten to predetermined alignment holes using fasteners for quick assembly. Lifted into place by man onto walls consisting of steel, wood or block. Thus, eliminating skilled craftsmen and the use of large equipment for shipment and cranes for setting them onto the walls.

Oct. 4, 2005

This invention will be further described with reference to the attacheddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of the truss folded as it appears in the shipping box.

FIG. 2 is a view of the bottom chords of the truss unfolding to form asolid bottom chord of desired length.

FIG. 3 is a view of the two top chords of the truss unfolding to form ashape of a roof truss of desired pitches.

FIG. 4 is showing installation of king post member (e) into centerposition (see dotted line) attaching to bottom chord members (b) & (c)and top chord members (a) & (d) together as shown in FIG. 12 and 13.Forming the shape of a roof truss used in construction.

FIG. 5 is a view of a completed roof truss not to exceed 16 feet inlength ready to be installed on top of steel, wood or concrete blockwalls.

FIG. 6 represents installation of vertical webs used as stiffeners (seedotted line) when a roof truss exceeds 16 feet in length. Web member (j)connects to preassembled (n) and (f) on left side of truss and webmember (m) connects to preassembled (n) and (f) on right side of truss.

FIG. 7 represents installation of diagonal webs used as stiffeners (seedotted line) when a roof truss exceeds 16′ in length. Web member (k)connects to pre assembled diagonal bracket (f) & bracket (h) and member(e) on left side of truss. Web member (l) connects to preassembleddiagonal bracket (f) & bracket (h) and member (e) on right side of truss(see dotted line).

FIG. 8 is a view of a completed roof truss in excess of 16′ in lengthready to be installed on top of steel, wood or concrete block walls.

The following procedure will be used to unfold the sub-assembled rooftruss (not to exceed 16 feet in length) and complete assembly utilizingunskilled craftsmen, ready to install.

Step 1: (See FIG. 2) Swing members (a) and (b) to the left pivoting onexisting fastener (i), swing member (c) and (d) to the right pivoting onexisting fastener (i) until members (b) and (c) align with existingholes in bracket (h) shown in FIG. 9. Install remaining fasteners (i)thru middle portion of bracket (h) and members (b). Using existingalignment holes install remaining fasteners (i) thru middle portion ofbrackets (f) and member (b) on left side and member (c) on right sidecreating a continuous bottom chord as shown in FIGS. 10 & 11.

Step 2: (See FIG. 3) Raise top chord member (a) pivoting on existingfastener (i) in top portion of left bracket (f), raise top chord member(d) pivoting on existing fastener (i) in top portion of right bracket(f). Align existing holes in members (a) and (d) to existing holes intop portion of brackets (f). Install remaining fasteners (i) thrumembers and brackets as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Step 3: (See FIG. 4) Insert loose king post member (e) in same plane asmembers (a, b, c & d). Bracket (g) shall be at the top of member (e).Align pre-punched ½″ holes in all three brackets (g), insert ½″ bolt (o)thru ½″ holes, slide ½″×3″ sleeve (p) over shank of bolt (o) and fingertighten ½″ nut (q) as shown in FIG. 14.

Step 4: (See FIG. 12) Align existing holes in bottom of member (e) withexisting top portion holes in bracket (h). Install fasteners (i) inremaining alignment holes.

Step 5: Turn truss over. Remove ½″ nut (q), slide pre-punched ½″ hole inthree brackets (g) on back side of truss, finger tight ½″ nut (q). Usingsame alignment holes as prior side in brackets (g) install fasteners (i)thru brackets (g) and members (a), (d) & (e) as shown in FIG. 13.Tighten bolt (o) with ¾″ wrenches to ensure snug fit against sleeve (p).

Step 6: (See FIG. 12) Install fasteners thru bracket (h) into members(b), (c) & (e) using existing alignment holes.

Step 7: (See FIGS. 10 & 11) Install fasteners (i) into existingalignment holes in top and middle portions of brackets (f) thru members(a) & (b) on left side of truss and members (c) & (d) on right side oftruss. Roof truss not to exceed 16 feet in length is complete.

The following procedure will be used to unfold the sub-assembled rooftruss (in excess of 16 feet in length) and complete assembly utilizingunskilled craftsmen, ready to install.

Step 1: (See FIG. 2) Swing members (a) and (b) to the left pivoting onexisting fastener (i), swing member (c) and (d) to the right pivoting onexisting fastener (i) until members (b) and (c) align with existingholes in bracket (h) shown in FIG. 9. Install remaining fasteners (i)thru middle portion of bracket (h) and members (b). Using existingalignment holes install remaining fasteners (i) thru middle portion ofbrackets (f) and member (b) on left side and member (c) on right sidecreating a continuous bottom chord as shown in FIGS. 10 & 11.

Step 2: (See FIG. 3) Raise top chord member (a) pivoting on existingfastener (i) in top portion of left bracket (f), raise top chord member(d) pivoting on existing fastener (i) in top portion of right bracket(f). Align existing holes in members (a) and (d) to existing holes intop portion of brackets (f). Install remaining fasteners (i) thrumembers and brackets as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Step 3: (See FIG. 4) Insert loose king post member (e) in same plane asmembers (a, b, c & d). Bracket (g) shall be at the top of member (e).Align pre-punched ½″ holes in all three brackets (g), insert ½″ bolt (o)thru ½″ holes, slide ½″×3″ sleeve (p) over shank of bolt (o) and fingertighten ½″ nut (q) as shown in FIG. 14.

Step 4: (See FIG. 6) Insert vertical member (j) on left side of truss inthe same plane as members (a, b, c, d & e). Align existing holes in presub-assembled brackets (f) and (n) with existing holes in member 0) asshown in FIG. 17. Install remaining fasteners. Repeat this for verticalmember (m) on right side of truss shown in FIG. 18.

Step 5: (See FIG. 7) Insert diagonal member (k) on left side of truss inthe same plane as members (a, b, c, d, e, j & m). Align existing holesin bracket (f) on member (k) with existing holes in bracket (h) andbottom portion of member (e). Install remaining fasteners as shown inFIG. 16. Repeat this for diagonal member (l) on right side of truss.Align existing holes in top portion of diagonal member (k) with presub-assembled diagonal bracket (f) on left side of truss. Installfasteners as shown in FIG. 17. Repeat this for diagonal member (l) onright side of truss shown in FIG. 18.

Step 6: Turn truss over. Remove ½″ nut (q), slide pre-punched ½″ hole inthree brackets (g) on back side of truss, finger tight ½″ (q). Usingsame alignment holes as prior side in brackets (g) install fasteners (i)thru brackets (g) and members (a), (d) & (e) as shown in FIG. 13.Tighten bolt (o) with ¾″ wrenches to ensure snug fit against sleeve (p).

Step 7: (See FIG. 16) Install fasteners (i) thru bottom portion ofbracket (h) into members (b) & (c) using existing alignment holes.Install fasteners (i) thru bracket (f) on member (k) and the top portionof bracket (h) on member (e) on left side of truss as shown in FIG. 16.Repeat this for member (l) on right side of truss.

Step 8: (See FIGS. 10 & 11) Install fasteners (i) into existingalignment holes in top and middle portions of brackets (f) thru members(a) & (b) on left side of truss and members (c) & (d) on right side oftruss.

Step 9: (See FIGS. 17 & 18) Install fasteners (i) thru vertical bracket(f) and vertical member a) on left side of truss. Repeat this forvertical member (m) on right side of truss. Install fasteners (i) thrudiagonal bracket (f) and diagonal member (k) on left side of truss.Repeat this for diagonal member (l) on right side of truss. Roof trussin excess of 16 feet in length is complete.

1. A pre engineered folding metal foot truss utilizing a pre-determinedhole pattern for ease of alignment in the connecting brackets andstructural members hinging on fasteners. a. Two C shaped in crosssection metal bottom chords connected to a flat bracket hinging outwardsof each other on existing fasteners at a pre-determined hinge pointforming a bottom chord two times the folded length. Then fasten topre-punched alignment holes creating a continuous bottom chord. b. Two Cshaped in cross section metal top chords, each connected to a flatbracket hinging upward on existing fasteners at a pre determined hingepoint forming a triangle in shape. c. One C shaped in cross sectionvertical metal king post member connecting to center of said continuousbottom chord using fasteners utilizing pre-punched alignment holes inboth king post member and a flat bracket. Said king post member having aflat bracket on top portion with ½″ diameter hole which aligns with saidpitched top chords both left and right connected together with ½″ boltto forming a large triangle with a right and left triangle smaller insize.
 2. A pre engineered folding metal roof truss as defined in claim 1wherein the bottom chord pivots in the center.
 3. A pre engineeredfolding metal roof truss as defined in claim 1 wherein the two topchords pivot upwards on the end.
 4. A pre engineered folding metal rooftruss which is designed for larger spans and loads consisting of claim 1as well as: a. Vertical C shaped web members in cross section fasten topre sub assembled flat connector brackets utilizing pre punchedalignment holes in brackets and members forming a trapezoid. b. DiagonalC shaped web members in cross section fasten to pre sub assembled flatconnector brackets utilizing pre punched alignment holes in brackets andmembers forming smaller triangles.